The New Mexico desert is filled with sagebrush which can be used to make sage sticks.
The burning of sage sticks originated in American Indian culture of the Southwest. However, today the custom has been adapted by other groups of the region, plus bundles of dried sage are sold around the country for the purpose of smudging or as incense. When thoroughly dried, a wrapped bundle of sage burns quickly, releasing a pleasant odor that can freshen up a room. Smudging is not much different, except the bearer of the sage stick and the other people in the room may believe that there is some collective cleansing power released when the sage burns.
Instructions
The Burning
1. Make or buy a sage stick. Making sage sticks is a small cottage industry in New Mexico, so buying a sage stick is easy to do and not expensive. If you decide to make your own stick, the plant is abundant throughout the Western plateau and Front Range of the West. Simply cut a dozen leafy twigs about eight inches in length and wrap the bundle loosely together with twine. Then let the material dry for a few weeks and it should be ready to burn.
2. Place a non-conductive saucer or small bowl on a table in the center of the room, where you want to release the smoke from the burning sage. Have a second bowl nearby of the same size. This will be used to cover the burning plant material and halt the combustion process. In either case, a metal plate should never be used because it will become very hot from contact with the smoldering sage.
3. Stand next to the table and hold the sage in your hand.
4. Light the tip of the stick with a large kitchen match or a candle and place the spent match in one of the plates. Now, while the stick is still burning, slowly move the sage bundle at shoulder height and then set in down in the saucer.
5. Grab the saucer and walk around the perimeter of the room, while holding the burning sage at chest level. Do this until the odor of the burning sage fills the room. If other people are in the room, you can move the sage around the place where they are standing or sitting. Do this as a friendly, welcoming gesture, and be careful not to let any sparks from the sage fall on anyone in the room.
6. Once the desired level of smoke has entered the atmosphere of the room, return to the table and place the saucer with the smoldering sage on the top of the table.
7. Take the second saucer and cover the bundle of evergreen leaf until all combustion has ceased.
Tags: burning sage, sage sticks, move sage, other people, other people room, people room, sage burns